Seed-planter.



No. 709,442. Patented sept. I6, |902.

.|."M.- HIGBE. 'SEED PLA'NTEH.

` (Applicatiqn led Jan. 2, 1902.) v(No Model.) 2 Sheets-Sheet I /N VENTOR UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

JAMES M. l-IIGBE, OF MANSON, IOWA.

SEED-PLANTER.

SPECFI'CATIN `iormrig part of Letters Patent No. 709,442, datedSeptember 16, 1902.

Application filed January 2, 1902. Serial No. 88,063. (No model.)

y which the dropping mechanism is driven by frictional gearing fromtheaxle or other part connected with the traction-wheels of the planter.The gearing comprises two independently-operative trains, either one orboth i of which may be thrown into action, as desired, and said trainsacting independently uniformly to drive the dropping mechanism. Thisspecification is a specific description of one form of the invention,while the claims aredenitions of the actual scope thereof.

Reference is to be had to the accompanying drawings, forming a part ofthis specification, in which similar characters of reference indicatecorresponding parts Ain the views.

Figure l is a side elevationof theplanter, showing the axle in section.Fig. 2 is a plan view of the planter, and Fig. 3 is a rear view.

p a. indicates the main framing, b the seedboxes, and c the shoes orfurrow-openers.

'd indicates the traction-wheels, which are `fastened to the axle, andthis axle is formed in two sections e and e', (seeFig. 3,) to which thewheels d are respectively connected.

f indicates the shaft which drives the dropping mechanism of theseedboxes, this shaft extending longitudinally along the center of 'theseed-planter and having bevel-gears f and f2 fastened thereto. Mountedin brackets a', attached to the main frame, and in a box `]"3,carried onthe shaftf, are transverse shafts g, which carry bevel-gears h, meshed,respectively, with the bevel-pinions f' and f2. The

shafts g falsocarry friction-wheels g', and these friction-wheelsareadapted to be connected with friction-wheels e2, respectively, on theaxle-sections e and c by means of intermediate friction-wheels c'. Theseintermediate friction-wheels t' are carried in hangers i', arranged toslide in boxes 2, supported upon the `frame a by brackets 3. The hangers7l' project above the boxes 'i2 and have foot-rests Q14 thereon, andwithin the boxes z2 are arranged springs, (see the dotted lines inl Fig.1,) which serve to throw upward the intermediate friction-Wheels t'.When the operator presses down on the foot-rests 114, the wheels t arecaused to engage the wheels g and e2, and thus the wheels h are drivenfrom the wheels e2. It will be observed that the wheels t areindependently operative and may be made one .to Work when the other isat rest or both may be Worked together.

In using the invention the operator may rest on his seat 7c, suitablysupported on the framing a., and actuate either of the Wheels t', asdesired. If one of the traction-wheels d is about to run against anobstruction,the wheel adjacent to said traction-wheel may be raised, andthus the erratic movement of the said traction-wheel d produced by theob` struction will. not be transmitted to the seeddropping mechanism;but this mechanism will be evenly operated by the movement transmittedby the other train of gearing' from the other traction-wheel, whichlatter traction-wheel is then running evenly over the unobstructedground. It both wheels are running evenly, both trains of gearing may beallowed to operate, and whenever an obstruction is reached the wheelinfiuenced by the obstruction may be thrown out of gear with thedropping mechanism. When both trains of gearing are operating, theaction is the same as though the axle were one structure; but eithersection of the axle and the corresponding traction-wheel may be thrownont of action, as desired.

Zindicates a crank, (see dotted lines, Fig. 1, and full l-ines, Fig. 2,)which is fastened to the rear end of the shaftf and which enables themanual rotation of this shaft for the proper adjustment of the droppingmechanism when starting or at other periods in the operation of themachine. The mechanism may be so arranged that when this crank points inany direction-, i'or example, downward-the mechanism will be ready todrop, and. this enables the operator of the planter properly to startthe action of the parts.

If desired, a quantity of colored markingpowder may be carried by themachine and dropped on the ground from time to time to show the track ofthe planter and to indicate where each row starts and ends.

Various changes in the form and details of ICO my invention may beresorted to at will Without departing from the spirit of my invention.

and two trains of gears running respectively from the sections of theaxle to the dropping mechanism, said trains ot' gears being operatedsimultaneously or independently to uniformly actuate the droppingmechanism.

2. A seed planter, comprising dropping mechanism, a driving member, and.two trains of gears from the driving member to the dropping mechanism,said trains of gears being operative independently or sim nltaneously touniformly actuate the dropping mechanism.

3. A seed planter, comprising dropping mechanism, adriving-axle,two'trains ofgears for driving the dropping mechanism from the axle,each of said trains comprising frictionwheels mounted on fixed axes, andan additionalfriction-wheel mounted to move toward and from the firstfriction-Wheel to connectI or disconnect the same.

4. A seed planter, comprising dropping mechanism,a driving-axle, twotrains of gears for driving t-he dropping mechanism from the axle, eachof said trains comprising frictionwheels mounted on fixed axes, anadditional friction-wheel mounted to move toward and from the firstfriction-wheel to connect or disconnect the same, said friction-wheelsbeing carried in independently-movable hangers, and brackets forsustaining the hangers.

5. A seed-planter, comprising a frame, a dropping mechanism, alongitudinal shaft in connection therewith, pinions fastened to theshaft, counter-shafts, gears carried by the counter-shafts andrespectively meshed with the pinions, an axle, and friction-gearsconnecting the axle with the counter-shafts, said friction-gearscomprising shiftable elements for throwing the sets of gears into andout of action.

6. In a seed-planter, the combination of dropping mechanism, a drivingmember, two independently operative groups of movement-transmittingmeans driven by the driving member, and a means (such as the shaft f)for connecting said groups of movementtransmitting means with thedropping mechanism.

In testimony whereof I have signed my name to this speciieation in thepresence of two subscribin g witnesses.

JAMES M. HIGBE. Witnesses:

HUGH HARRISON BLACKMAN, ADONIRAM JUDsoN LANGDELL.

